Purdue Football 2023 Transfer Portal Tracker
Updated on Wednesday, Jan. 18
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The NCAA transfer portal officially opened on Dec. 5, and players across the country continue to search for new homes ahead of the 2023 college football season.
The NCAA created two transfer portal windows for student-athletes wishing to change schools. The first is a 45-day period, which began on Dec. 5. The second window stretches from May 1 to May 15, allowing players to transfer after spring football practices. These restrictions do not apply to graduate transfers.
With a brand new coaching staff ushering in a new era for Purdue football next season, the program is expected to go through significant changes despite reaching an 8-6 overall record.
Purdue players that entered the transfer portal
Brady Allen, quarterback: Appeared in just one game as a true freshman, completing 1-of-3 passes for eight yards in a 56-0 win over Indiana State. Rated as the second-highest quarterback recruit in program history behind Kyle Orton. A former four-star recruit out of Gibson Southern High School in Fort Branch, Ind. Named 2021 Indiana Mr. Football. Allen plans to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to the program with four years of eligibility remaining.
Chris Van Eekeren, kicker: Did not attempt a field goal during the 2022 season, serving primarily as a kickoff specialist during his college career. A former in-state recruit out of Chesterton, Ind. Van Eekeren is committed to playing for Temple and leaves two years of eligibility remaining.
Jack Sullivan, defensive end: Has appeared in all 13 games for the Boilermakers so far in 2022 and will take part in the team's bowl game. Set career-highs with 38 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Has played in 37 games during his college career, tallying 86 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and seven pass deflections. Sullivan committed to USC with one year of eligibility remaining.
Camdyn Childers, defensive back: Appeared in three games for Purdue at cornerback this season, recording two total tackles in the team's 35-24 loss at Wisconsin. Childers committed to Findlay with two years of eligibility remaining.
Lawrence Johnson, defensive tackle: Started at defensive tackle in all 13 games for the Boilermakers in 2022, recording 28 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. A former in-state recruit from Fort Wayne, Ind. Has appeared in 37 games during his college career, posting 87 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Committed to Auburn with one year of eligibility remaining.
Greg Hudgins III, defensive tackle: A former four-star recruit by Rivals out of St. John's College Prep in Washington D.C. Appeared in two games for the Boilermakers, making one tackle in 2022. Leaves with three years of eligibility remaining.
Branson Deen, defensive tackle: Has appeared in 11 games for the Boilermakers this season, starting in every matchup he played. Tallied a career-high 27 total tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss including 2.5 sacks while ranking second on the team with four quarterback hurries. Committed to Miami with one year of eligibility remaining.
Kobe Lewis, running back: Spent just one season in West Lafayette after transferring from Central Michigan. Appeared in all 13 games for Purdue, recording 43 carries for 143 yards on the ground while adding seven catches for 50 yards. Leaves with one year of eligibility remaining.
Hayden Ellinger, cornerback: An in-state recruit out of Fort Wayne, Ind. who decided to step away from football for the 2022 season. Did not appear in any games for Purdue during his college career. Leaves with four years of eligibility remaining.
Spencer Holstege, offensive lineman: Started 13 games for the Boilermakers in 2022 along the offensive line. Announced his commitment to UCLA on Dec. 18 and will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Bruins.
Rickey Smith, cornerback: A three-star recruit out of Apopka, Fla., who did not see action in his first two seasons with the program. He leaves with four years of eligibility remaining.
Kyle Bilodeau, tight end: Appeared in three games for Purdue as a reserve in 2021, recording two catches for seven yards. Leaves with two years of eligibility.
Michael Alaimo, quarterback: Appeared in four games for Purdue in three seasons, completing nine of his 18 passes for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. A former four-star recruit out of St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, N.J. Orchestrated the team's only scoring drive in the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against LSU. Leaves with three years of eligibility.
Transfer players committed to Purdue
Hudson Card, quarterback: Former four-star recruit Hudson Card announced he was committed to Purdue coach Ryan Walters and the Boilermakers for the 2023 season. He's thrown 1,523 yards passing, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions over his three-year college career at Texas. He's made 21 appearances with five starts during that span. He was a former top-60 recruit out of high school and was rated as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2020, according to the 247Sports Composite. He joins the team with three years of eligibility remaining.
Anthony Brown, safety: A consensus three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Anthony Brown announced his commitment to Purdue after spending one year at Arkansas. He did not see game action this past season and comes to West Lafayette with four years of eligibility remaining.
Isaiah Nichols, defensive tackle: Isaiah Nichols is the second Arkansas transfer to announce his commitment to Purdue football this offseason. He spent five years with the Razorbacks and registered 78 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks during his time with he program. He joins the Boilermakers after they lost both interior defensive line starters via the transfer portal and will have one year of eligibility.
Related Stories on Purdue Football
- Purdue Recruits Sign National Letters of Intent: A new era of Purdue football is underway under head coach Ryan Walters, and he looks to bring in a solid group of recruits. Recap all the breaking news as players signed their national letters of intent. CLICK HERE
- Purdue Football Announces Coordinator Hires: Purdue head coach Ryan Walters announced that Graham Harrell and Kevin Kane will join the Boilermakers as coordinators ahead of the 2023 football season. CLICK HERE
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D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.